Sunday, 3 May 2009

We won :)

As many of you may know by now, I have been advising the original members of AWARE in their (successful!) battle to remove the Exco headed by Josie Lau. So the past few weeks, especially this past week, has been crazy busy.

I have so many thoughts to share, but for now I only want to say that it has been a real honour and privilege to have been part of such a historic moment, and that I feel so heartened by the turnout and the way the voting went as well as public discourse in the past week as more facts came out -- it is such a strong affirmation by Singapore of the values that AWARE stands for: inclusiveness, diversity, openness and transparency. Today, I am so proud to be Singaporean.

Mr Siew, I want to thank you for championing for equal rights in Singapore. I've read the live updates from the various social commentary sites, and you've been nothing less than exemplary in your actions.

I wish AWARE all the best. I hope they can bear in mind what Obama said in Chicago on the night of 4 November 2008 when he won the US Presidential election: "And to those Americans whose support I have yet to earn, I may not have won your vote tonight, but I hear your voices. I need your help. And I will be your president, too." I hope AWARE will continue to listen to the many voices in society, especially when there are differences in views.

Thank you Mr. Siew. We are lucky to have champions like you on our side. Thanks to all the (male) associate members. Thanks to all the Christian supporters who helped to expose the pretenders. Thanks to all the women, young and old, who turned up or lent support online.

Fantastic job Mr Siew, at being their legal counsel! We all appreciate your role very much. :)

I too, am extremely proud and happy to be part of something so historic! The women in Singapore are truly amazing, and those who spoke up on behalf of the old guard yesterday truly left me stunned, and yet happy, on how strong and passionate the Singapore woman can be.